NEW DELHI: BJP Rajya Sabha MP and former cricketer Harbhajan Singh came under fire after he shared a video of two apparently intoxicated men on Monday, claiming it showed the sorry state of Punjab’s youth. Punjab Police and AAP leaders later said the footage was actually from Rajasthan.“very sad to see the situation of Punjab,” Singh wrote on Monday night.“Punjab and its youth deserve better. This issue needs honesty, accountability, and urgent action – not denial,” he added.In a longer message accompanying the video, Singh questioned successive governments over the drug situation in Punjab.“What have the governments done to Punjab and its Punjabi youth? Where have they brought Punjab to? The Punjab that was once known for its high spirits, courage and bravery, today that same Punjab’s youth has been engulfed by drugs. There is still time – save my Punjab,” he said.Singh had quit the AAP and joined the BJP in April.The post quickly drew criticism from AAP leaders, who accused Singh of using a video from another state to portray Punjab in a negative light.
What is the ‘zombie drug’?
“Zombie drug” commonly refers to xylazine, a veterinary sedative found in illicit drug supplies and also known as “tranq” or “tranq dope”. The video went viral on social media, with users claiming the two men appeared to be under the influence of drugs, including what was described as a “zombie drug”. However, Singh did not use the term in his post while sharing the clip.
Punjab Police fact-checks video
The claim was challenged by Punjab Police, which said the video was not from Punjab but from Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan.“The video being circulated is from Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan – not Punjab,” Punjab Police said in a post on X.The police urged social media users to verify the location and facts before sharing such material.“We urge users and social media accounts to verify the facts and location before posting misleading content or tagging Punjab Police. Responsible sharing matters. @harbhajan_singh,” it said.Punjab Police also addressed the Punjabi audio accompanying the clip, saying, “A Punjabi audio track does not make an incident a Punjab incident.”
AAP hits back at BJP MP
The police clarification prompted sharp criticism from AAP leaders.AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal questioned whether the BJP’s messaging was coordinated.“Many BJP people spread this lie together yesterday. Did the order come from the PMO? Does the PMO spread lies in the country?” Kejriwal said.Punjab cabinet minister Baljit Kaur accused Singh of deliberately sharing footage from Rajasthan to portray Punjab negatively.“Look at the desperation to please his political bosses. He is sharing a video from Rajasthan and lying that it is from Punjab.
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“You will do anything for ‘BJP ki dalali’, even if it means ruining Punjab’s image. The people of Punjab will never forgive you for this,” she said on X.Punjab cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO also attacked the BJP MP, alleging that the party uses misinformation to target Punjab.“This is the BJP’s standard modus operandi: manufacture lies and use sell-outs like Harbhajan to constantly defame Punjab. This video is from Rajasthan, but he lies to ruin the image of the state that gave him his entire career. Punjabis see right through this dirty propaganda,” he said.
